In the year 1762 there appears to have been quite a stir in reference to economy and home productions, and doubtless the spinning-wheels were constantly in use. In the "Boston Gazette," November 2, is a very curious letter of Henry Flynt, a noted teacher, addressed to the ladies of North America.
To the LADIES of North America.
Ladies,
I am one of thoſe who think it not only high Time but of the laſt Importance, that you ſhould be publickly addreſſed: And of the many ingenious Pens, which in the Courſe of a few Years have informed and enlightened this Country, I have often wiſhed that at leaſt ſome one of them had been more particularly devoted to your Service. This would have agreeably prevented me in an attempt to which I find myſelf in all Reſpects but too unequal. Yet relying on your good Senſe and Candour, I venture to lay at your Feet a few well-intended Sentiments, which tho' in a plain homeſpun Garb, I hope will not offend. I am convinced that at this preſent it is not only in your Inclination and Will, but alſo in your Power, to effect more in favour of your Country, than an Army of an Hundred Thouſand Men; and indeed more than all the armed Men on this vaſt Continent.—Can a Woman forget her Ornaments? Yes I know ſhe can. Deborah once judged Iſrael, and ſome think it was never judged much better afterwards. But what tho't Deborah or Jael of their Ornaments, when the one was contriving, & the other driving the Nail that would go? What tho't beautiful Eſther of her Ornaments, when thoſe of her Kindred & Houſhold were in immediate and imminent Danger, by the Decree treacherouſly obtained by Haman, from the mouth of her beloved and almoſt adored Lord Ahaſuerus the Great? What tho't Judith of her Ornaments, when ſhe was ſevering the Head of Holofernes from his Body, or while flying with the Prize to the Relief of her deſpairing Friends? The Time would fail me, were I to recount the wondrous Deeds and mighty Atchievements of renowned and honorable Women in all Ages.
I have but alluded to a few Inſtances, among many of divine Heroiſm in your Sex, which hath often ſaved a Country, when the dull ploding Wiſdom of man has been totally at a Plunge. How near we are to ſuch a Criſis, is left to the Conjecture of others. It would be a little out of Nature to expect the Birth and Exploits of Heroines to take Place before thoſe of Heroes. I believe we ſhall be furniſhed with both in their Order, as Occaſion may require. All I think at preſent that can be reaſonably expected or deſired of you, is to conſent to lay aſide all ſuperfluous Ornaments for a Seaſon—after which they ſhall be ſurely returned to you again with Intereſts.—You ſhall be cloathed in Purple, and Scarlet, and Fine Linnen of our own, and with other glorious Apparel; which, if poſſible, ſhall add a Luſtre to your native Charms.
HENRY FLYNT.